In hopes of slowing down a flood of motorists speeding to the Department of Defense structure coming to fruition on the citys West End, Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) included language in the Defense Authorization bill last week that would limit the number of parking spaces available at the facility.

The bill passed the House last Friday.

Residents and commuters have been wary of the prospect of more gridlock since before construction began last year on the Washington Headquarters Service building that will bring 6,400 workers to the city in an area without a Metro station.

According to the language, the cap could be lifted if Congress approves a traffic management plan to mitigate congestion at nearby intersections and if the Department of Defense constructs access roads and ramps to alleviate congestion.

The Pentagon gave short shrift to transportation planning at the Mark Center. The site never should have been chosen because we had other options with Metro access, Moran said. Were going to push every button and pull every lever to mitigate the consequences of the Defense Departments mistakes.